The Heart Truth (Baldwin County Extension Report by Amanda Outlaw)

The Heart Truth is a national awareness campaign that informs women about heart disease, which is the No. 1 killer of women. Most women fail to make the connection between risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and their personal risk of developing heart disease.

The Heart Truth Campaign is sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The NHLBI leads the nation in a landmark heart awareness movement that is being embraced by millions who share the common goal of better hearth health for all women.

This year, The Heart Truth is honoring the shared stories of women who have been touched by heart disease. For more than a decade, The Heart Truth has been uniting women in the fight against their No. 1 killer by increasing awareness of their personal risk factors for heart disease and empowering them to take healthy steps to reduce their risk.

2013 Go Red Event was attended by Amanda Outlaw, left, a Heart Truth Champions trainer and educator with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Outlaw is pictured, at the event with Ms. Dothan. (Submitted by Amanda Outlaw)

When you hear the term “heart disease,” you may think, “That’s a man’s disease” or “Not my problem.” But here is The Heart Truth: one in four women in the United States dies of heart disease, while one in 30 dies of breast cancer. If you’ve got a heart, heart disease could be your problem.

An astonishing 80 percent of women ages 40 to 60 have one or more risk factor for heart disease. Having one or more risk factors dramatically increases a woman’s chance of developing heart disease because risk factors tend to worsen each other’s effects. In fact, according to research compiled by the NHLBI, having just one risk factor doubles your chance of developing heart disease.

Whatever a woman’s age, she needs to take action to protect her heart health. Heart disease can begin early, even in the teen years, and women in their 20s and 30s need to take action to reduce their risk of developing heart disease. Yet among U.S. women ages 18 and older, 17.3 percent are current smokers, 51.6 are overweight (BMI of 25 or greater), 27 percent have hypertension, 35 percent have high cholesterol, and 53 percent do not meet physical activity recommendations. African American and Hispanic women, in particular, have higher rates of some risk factors for heart disease and are disproportionately affected by the disease compared to white women. More than 80 percent of midlife African American women are overweight or obese, 52 percent have hypertension, and 14 percent have been diagnosed with diabetes. Some 83 percent of midlife Hispanic women are overweight or obese, and more than 10 percent have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Some women believe that doing just one healthy thing will take care of all their heart disease risk. For example, they may think that if they walk or swim regularly, they can still smoke and stay fairly healthy. This is wrong. To protect your heart, it is vital to make changes that address each risk factor you have.

A damaged heart can damage your life by interfering with enjoyable activities and even your ability to do simple things, such as taking a walk or climbing steps. Heart disease cannot be “cured.” It is a lifelong condition—once you get it, you’ll always have it.

Fortunately, it’s a problem you can do something about. Find out your risk for heart disease and take steps to prevent and control it. Talk to your doctor to get more answers. Start taking action today to protect your heart. Heart disease is preventable—by making healthy lifestyle changes and taking steps to manage risk factors, women can reduce their risk for heart disease. Visit The Heart Truth tools and resources.

After attending the Heart Truth training with a co-worker, I am more determined to remove the risk that I have control over. There is an online toolkit at www.hearttruth.gov. You can use the kit in many ways but first let’s start at home, then spread outwards with churches, civic groups, and Sunday school classes, PTA’s (Parent, Teacher Associations) or anywhere someone will listen. If you need help in organizing and presenting the information, feel free to contact Amanda Outlaw, a Heart Truth Champions Trainer and educator with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System has presented Health Rocks, a healthy living program, throughout Mobile and Baldwin counties. The Health Rocks program strives to educate youth on ways to reduce their risks and make wise decisions about using alcohol, tobacco and drugs. It is never too early to learn the benefits of living healthy. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System offers educational programs that are designed to improve the quality of life for all Alabamians.

(Amanda Outlaw is a regional extension agent with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. She may be reached at 251-937-7176 or 251-928-0860.)